Dark Shadows Among Us
Chapter 02
2.1
Sgt. Ed Brown entered the office of his boss and came down the ramp. "Morning, everyone."
Eve, who had arrived earlier, responded as well as Mark but Ironside sat quietly at the table reading some kind of report. Mark walked over and set a cup of coffee on the table in front of the man who headed their elite team. "Who was it that once complained about amenities not being practiced in this office?"
Ironside was drawn out of his thoughts. "What? Oh, hi, Ed." He took a sip of coffee and went right back to his reading.
Mark brought another cup of coffee to the table and handed it to Ed. "You will have to forgive the chief, Ed. He was up most of the night worrying about someone else's case."
Eve took in what Mark had just said. Having known the chief for years, she was sure they were about to embark on another case for a friend of the boss. She could not really complain. Their office had taken on several cases for friends of everyone in the office. One more would not make much difference. "Well, Chief, are you going to let Ed and me in on it?"
Ironside looked around at each member of his staff. He knew no matter what decision he made they would support him and help him with the case. These people were more than just co-workers, they were close friends. He preceded to tell them of George Patterson and repeated the reasons he had given Mark for wanting to help him.
"Chief, you know we will support you but I am not sure how you plan to get this one past the commissioner. He really can't stop you from going. God knows you have the vacation time coming. However, there is a little problem of how you are going to get him to allow Eve and me to go with you. Mark is your aid so he will not be a problem."
Before Ironside could answer him, the door to the office opened. Commissioner Dennis Randall walked in and came down the ramp. He went directly over to Ironside and dropped a telegram down in front of him.
Ignoring the telegram, Ironside addressed his aide. "Mark, get the commissioner a cup of coffee and make sure it is nice and black and… fresh… yes, there is nothing like fresh coffee in the morning. Sit down, Dennis. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Eve, Ed, & Mark all smiled but made sure the commissioner did not see it. They knew the chief was about to bulldoze the commissioner into getting his way.
"When you start a conversation that way, I know you are up to something. The answer is no, Bob. You, Ed and Eve cannot be spared."
"Why, Commissioner, I don't know what you were talking about."
"Don't give me that, Bob! You know very well what I am talking about. Read that telegram."
Ironside casually picked up the telegram and read it. "I do not see anything unusual about this. Quite often we get requests for cooperation between police departments."
"This is not a request for cooperation. This is a request for your services. We cannot afford to have you gone right now."
"I see no pressing issues, Dennis. Ed, Eve, Mark and I should have this cleared up in no time."
"Even if I were inclined to let you go, which I'm not, I could not allow you to take Ed and Eve with you. They are on the city payroll."
"That is an official request, Dennis."
"And, I will turn it down... officially."
"Alright Dennis, it's your decision."
Randall looked up at his top detective and closest friend. "You never give up that easily. What are you up to, Bob?"
"Why, Dennis, I am not up to anything." He faked yawning and said, "In fact, I am much too tired for another investigation. I think I should take a vacation. And since I'm taking a vacation, the rest of my staff is now on vacation."
"Oh no you don't, Bob! You are not pulling that one on me. I can't stop you from taking a vacation. However, Ed and Eve are needed here. They can run your office while you are gone." Randall smiled in triumph.
"None of them have had a vacation in quite some time and that, Dennis, is because of you. So therefore, at my discretion, I am putting them on vacation. They can only take them when the workload allows. With me out of the office, the workload allows."
Randall stared at his subordinate. He knew he was about to lose another argument. Yet, he was not quite ready to give up the fight. "And just how do you know that they will want to go to Maine with you? They may not want to use up their vacation time in Maine this time of year."
Ironside nodded toward his staff. He knew what Ed and Eve's answer would be. "I have never been to Maine," said Eve. "It might be a nice vacation at that."
Commissioner Randall knew that he was beaten. He decided to get off a parting shot. "I should let you use up your vacation time investigating this case. It would serve you right. However, since your boss rarely lets you have vacation time, you need time off that does not involve him. So the Department will officially cooperate with the Collinsport Sheriff Department."
"Thank you, Dennis. I knew you would see it my way." Ironside grinned at his boss.
"One of these days, Bob. One of these days..." Randall got up and left the office
2.2
Willie Loomis walked into the parlor of the Old House. Julia Hoffman was sitting by the fire reading a book. "Doctor Hoffman, what are you doing here?"
"Barnabas asked me to wait and tell you, he wants you to go to the library and check the internet for everything you can find on a Chief Robert Ironside."
"The San Francisco police detective?"
"That's right. Good. You have heard of him. Make sure you are thorough. He wants a solid background on the man."
"Why? What does he want the information for?" Willie asked.
Julia stood up and faced Willie. Sheriff Patterson has enlisted his help in solving Maggie Evans' disappearance and the attacks on the women.
"This is bad, Julia. Really bad." Willie began to nervously pace back and forth. "We can't have that cop nosing around here. He's dangerous. Julia, we have to stop him before Barnabas…"
"I know Willie. I have assured Barnabas that Ironside will never find out the truth. We can't allow him to. You know what Barnabas will do if he does."
Julia sighed. "Yes, Willie and we must prevent it. So, you go to the library and get the information Barnabas wants. "You better have it before he arises at dusk."
"I'll go right now." Willie walked into the foyer and grabbed his jacket from the hall tree. "I'll be back as soon as I have it." He opened the door and then turned back. "When is Ironside arriving?"
Julia shook her head. "Sheriff Patterson did not say. I doubt that the man will waste any time. I suspect he will be here within the next day or so."
Willie nodded and left the Old House.
2.3
Sheriff Patterson opened the door to his office and sat down at his desk. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out the files on Maggie Evan's disappearance and the attacks on the women. He wanted to read them over before Bob Ironside arrived. Patterson had not heard back from Bob but he had assured him as long as he sent an official request for the detective's services, he would be able to convince the police commissioner to allow him and his staff the time to come out and help.
The door opened, Sam Evans and Joe Haskell walked in. Patterson glanced up at the door. Both men had been hounding him for news on Maggie. He could not blame Sam. After all, she was his daughter and Joe was her fiancé. If anyone had a right to know how the case was coming along, they did.
"George," Sam asked, "are the rumors true?"
"What rumors?"
"We hear that Ironside from California has agreed to come in and investigate," Joe said. "Is it true?"
"Yes, it is true. He is an old friend of mine. I called him, although I have not yet heard back from him," Patterson replied.
"Well, now maybe we will get some answers," Sam said. Realizing how that must have sounded, Sam back peddled. "I mean…"
"I know what you meant, Sam. No offense taken," George assured him.
"I don't know why you have not checked into Willie Loomis more," Joe questioned. "He has been nothing but a trouble maker since he and Jason McGuire came to town. He knows something. I am sure of it."
George sighed. "There is absolutely no proof that Willie Loomis had anything to do with Maggie's disappearance, Joe. Barnabas Collins says he was at the Old House with him when she disappeared. He has an alibi."
"What do we really know about Barnabas Collins?" Joe complained.
"Are you saying he could be responsible for her disappearance?"
"No, of course not," Joe said, backing off. "But Loomis doesn't spend every minute of the day with him. You have seen him. He is a nervous wreck. He knows something. I can't understand why you don't drag him in here and sweat him until he talks."
Sheriff Patterson had been through this conversation with Haskell several times before. He did not want to be drawn into it again. "I'll let Bob Ironside decide if he is worthy of more scrutiny."
The phone on his desk rang. Patterson turned away from Haskell and Evans and picked up the receiver. "Collinsport Sheriff's office."
"George, Bob Ironside."
"Bob, good to hear from you. I hope you have good news for me."
"I do indeed. I had to do a little arm-twisting but Dennis has approved for me and my staff to leave for Maine immediately. Eve has reserve four tickets on a flight tomorrow. Can you pick us up at the airport?"
"I'll have a couple squad cars there." He got the time and flight numbers from his friend.
"One more thing. We are going to need a van like the one I drive here in San Francisco. Can you come up with one?"
"I'll see what I can do. I will make arrangements for you to stay at the Collinsport Inn at our expense. And, Bob… thanks."
"I'll see you tomorrow. In the meantime I want you to have backgrounds on anyone that is a possible suspect."
"You will have them." The phone went dead as Ironside ended the conversation.
Patterson turned back to Joe and Sam. "It's official. Chief Ironside will be here tomorrow.
"I sure hope he has better luck finding out what is going on than you have had, Sheriff," Sam said.
"Bob Ironside doesn't depend on luck. He finds the truth and no one gets in his way in the process."
2.4
"Mark, are we packed?" Ironside shouted to his aid.
"Yes, Chief. We are just waiting for Eve and Ed. I have already put our suitcases in the van."
"What is keeping them?" Ironside growled as he paced in his wheelchair.
"Relax, Chief, they will be here. We have lots of time to get to the airport."
The door to the office opened. Gerald and Carol Barker walked in with their daughter Pip. The girl ran out in front of them and headed straight for Ironside. "Uncle Bob!" *
Ironside turned his wheelchair and smiled when he saw Pip coming. "Hello, Pip. How are you? No more witchcraft or black magic?"
Pip smiled at him. "Mom and Dad won't let me. So I have found a new hobby, Uncle Bob."
"And what would that be?"
"Writing stories," Pip said excitedly.
"Writing stories? What kind of stories?"
"Hi Chief," Carol Barker said with a smile as she came down the ramp. "She insisted on coming to see you. She wants you to read her first story." Gerald Barker joined his wife at the table. He reached out and shook Ironside's hand.
"Well, let's see the story, Pip," Ironside said.
Pip proudly handed her manuscript to her "uncle". Ironside took it and set it on the table. I am leaving town for a few days but I promise to read it. I'll call you when I get back. Will that be alright, Pip?"
"That would be great," she replied.
Ironside turned to Carol and Gerald and said, "I am sorry I can't be more hospitable but as soon as Ed and Eve arrive, we are leaving for the airport."
"That is alright. We dropped in unannounced. We will call you when you get back." Pip kissed Ironside and then left with her parents.
Ironside eyed the manuscript. "From the looks of it, that is a long story for a little girl to write." He opened it and began reading the first page."
The door to the office opened. Eve and Ed walked in together. "Hey, was that the Barkers that just left?" Ed asked.
"Yes, they dropped in to leave Pip's new pastime with me," the chief said.
"I don't remember the Barkers," Eve said with a questioning look.
"It was a case that we worked when you were on that long leave of absence. Fran was working with us as your replacement," Ed told her. "Pip was into witchcraft and black magic. When she put a spell on the apartment building manager, she thought she was responsible for his death. We investigated and found the killer. The chief had to convince her it had nothing to do with her spells."
"We don't have time to go down memory lane, Sergeant. We have to get to the airport." He started wheeling toward the ramp.
"Well, you heard him," Mark said. Eve and Ed smiled and followed Mark and the chief out the door.
2.5
"Angelique!" Nicholas Blair called out.
She entered the room. She hated the hold Nicholas had over her. All she wanted to do was make sure that Barnabas Collins continued to suffer the curse she had placed on him so many years ago. That Hoffman woman was giving him injections that would eventually cure him. Nicholas had refused to allow her to do anything about it. She could not understand why the master allowed him to have such power over her. She had to find a way to break his hold on her or Barnabas Collins would go free. After all he had done to her, she simply could not allow that to happen.
"What is it Nicholas?" the blonde beauty asked.
"I have heard some interesting news. It will affect Barnabas. Do you care to hear it, my dear?"
He had raised her interest at the mention of Barnabas' name. "Yes, yes! What is it?"
"Sheriff Patterson has enlisted some help in the disappearance of Maggie Evans as well as the attacks on those women."
Angelique was disappointed. She had hoped the news would be much more interesting. "And just why would that interest me?"
Nicolas smiled. "The man Patterson has enlisted to help him is a man by the name of Robert Ironside. Have you ever heard of him?"
Angelique's eyes widen at the sound of the man's name. "Who hasn't heard of him? He could present a problem."
"Afraid he will discover Barnabas' condition?" He grinned an evil grin.
"Nicholas, it could touch us if he starts investigating how Barnabas became the way he is."
"That is why you are going to do nothing. You will let Julia Hoffman cure him. When he becomes human again, Ironside will be unable to figure out what happened."
"But, Nicholas, what about Maggie Evans?"
"What about her?" Blair asked.
"Ironside might find her."
"I am counting on it," he said, smiling. Blair had designs on Maggie Evans. He wanted her. He had been trying to court her when she disappeared. So far he had not been able to find her. In fact, he had not even found a clue as to what had happened to her. Angelique had been quick to blame Barnabas but Nicholas had not been able to tie it to him.
If it had been anyone else, he would have forced Barnabas Collins to reveal what, if anything, he knew about her disappearance but a vampire was not one to be messed with, especially Barnabas Collins. It was a shame. A creature such as Barnabas should be working for his master and most of them did. This Collins had an independent streak in him. Nicholas had not yet found a way to control him... but he would. When Julia Hoffman cured him then he would be just as vulnerable as anyone else in Collinsport. For now he would have to wait until Robert Ironside got here. He would be sure to meet this gentleman. If he could get him under his control, then at least he might find Maggie Evans.
2.6
Angelique slipped out of the room without Nicholas noticing. He had become so obsessed with finding Maggie Evans that he had lost focus on what they were here for... to prepare for the Leviathans. Actually, she could care less about the Leviathans. She only cared about one thing and that was making sure Barnabas Collins remained under her curse. He had seduced her and then thrown her aside for Josette, her employer. Angelique had made him pay for that. His precious Josette jumped to her death on Widows Hill when she saw what Barnabas had become.
Barnabas would not be allowed to love anyone for eternity. That was the price he would pay for his betrayal.
Angelique had almost convinced herself that she hated Barnabas... almost. In truth after nearly two hundred years she still loved him and she would never allow any other woman to have him.
She would not allow him to be cured by Julia Hoffman. She had to get control over Robert Ironside. He was the key. Only she could not let Nicholas find out what she was up to. He surely would banish her to the master forever and she would never see Barnabas again. Yes, discretion was essential. Nicholas could have Maggie Evans. She didn't not care but he would not stop her from having Barnabas Collins. If that meant taking control of Robert Ironside, then so be it.
*Characters borrowed from the Ironside episode, Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Murder.